Mils Muliaina will captain New Zealand for the first time in the first of two Tests against France.

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The injury-hit All Blacks have also handed Canterbury lock forward Isaac Ross a place in the starting 15 for his first cap, while uncapped Bryn Evans and Tanerau Latimer have been named on the bench for the Dunedin test.

"We will be facing a very experienced, strong French side while the All Blacks squad will be a good mixture of experienced players and others who are relatively new to the All Blacks," coach Graham Henry said.

Muliaina, in his 69th Test, will stand in for the injured Richie McCaw, while Dan Carter, Ali Williams, Rodney So'oialo and Sitiveni Sivivatu will also miss out through injury.

The second test is in Wellington on June 20

Team: 1-Tony Woodcock, 2-Andrew Hore, 3-Neemia Tialata, 4-Brad Thorn, 5-Isaac Ross, 6-Kieran Read, 7-Adam Thomson, 8-Liam Messam, 9-Jimmy Cowan, 10-Stephen Donald, 11-Rudi Wulf, 12-Ma'a Nonu, 13-Isaia Toeava, 14-Josevata Rokocoko, 15-Mils Muliaina (captain)

Replacements: 16-Keven Mealamu, 17-John Afoa, 18-Bryn Evans, 19-Tanerau Latimer, 20-Piri Weepu, 21-Luke McAlister, 22-Cory Jane